Ohio State recruit Zac Dalpe said yesterday that he plans to honor his commitment to the
university despite being drafted in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos also owns the junior team, the Plymouth Whalers, that drafted
Dalpe last year. The Buckeyes fear that the Hurricanes will steer Dalpe, an 18-year-old forward,
toward the Whalers.

"Nothing has changed," Dalpe said by phone from his hometown of Paris, Ontario. "I'm 100 percent
committed to Ohio State."

Dalpe said he expects to talk to Hurricanes management later this week. Buckeyes coaches met
with Dalpe on Saturday in Ottawa, site of the draft.

Ohio State coach John Markell concedes that Dalpe could change his mind at any time, even after
entering the Buckeyes' program in September.

"They are testing his character," Markell said. "We knew we had a kid of character and passion
and he is displaying that right now."

Lightning set to hire coach

The primary investors in a group buying the Tampa Bay Lightning say they have no intentions of
moving the team, will be "shockingly aggressive" in free agency this summer and are on the verge of
naming a coach.

Owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie hope the new coach, reported by ESPN.com to be television
analyst and former Los Angeles Kings coach Barry Melrose, is part of the fix. A news conference
will be held today to introduce a replacement for John Tortorella, who was fired June 3.

Koules said the team will be "staggeringly active" in free agency to obtain players to put
around No. 1 draft pick Steve Stamkos and get Tampa Bay back on track quickly.

Off the ice

Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery cleared waivers and became an unrestricted free agent after
being bought out by the team. ... The Nashville Predators signed goalie Dan Ellis and defenseman
Shea Weber. Ellis signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal. Weber signed for three years and $13.5
million.